Galatians 3:1-5. “Justification through the Gospel by the Triune God”

If you are a fan of classic TV, you will remember the show Bewitched. It is the longest running supernatural themed sitcom of the 1960s–1970s.The focus of the show is on the mixed marriage of a nose-twitchingwitch, Samantha Stephens (Montgomery), and her mortal husband, Darrin (originally played by Dick York and later by Dick Sargent). Set in an upper middle class suburb, from which Darrin commutes to Manhattan for work, it is described by the producers as a romantic comedy, showing how true love can endure the most vexing of situations, even between a witch and a human http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bewitched. One of the cleaver results is to portray as innocent and normal, the occult.From the first lie to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, Satan has always desired to downplay his actionsas benign and to confuse.The primary area upon which he desires to confuse is people’s understanding on the way of Salvation. The most successful effort has been in the almost endless combinations of world religions that all desire to have people earn God’s favor in order to achieve eternal life. God’s way is by His grace working through the gift of faith.

When the Apostle Paul came to Galatia, he marveled at their defection from the gospel that he had preached to them (Gal. ﻿1:6–7﻿). Having received new life in Christ by faith, they had been persuadedto live out their new lives by the old way of works. They had turned backfrom grace to law,from faith to works, from Calvary to ceremony, from freedom to bondage.

In Galatians ﻿chapters 3–4﻿ Paul gives a classic defense of the doctrine of justification by faith, a defense he had introduced in ﻿Gal. 2:16–21﻿. In ﻿Gal. 3:1–5﻿ he defends the doctrine from the standpoint of personal experience, and, as we shall seein ﻿Gal. 3:6–4:31﻿ from the standpoint of scriptural revelation. Paul always promoted the coherence of sound doctrine and holy living. While it is true that experience minus theology will surely lead to a distorted spirituality, it is also true that theology minus experience can only issue in a dead orthodoxy. (George, T. (2001, c1994). Vol. 30: Galatians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (210). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)

In ﻿Galatians 3:1–5﻿the apostle Paulwas asking the Galatians to examine the basis of their Christian experience. He reminds his readers that 1)A believer’s experience of the Lord Jesus Christ(Galatians 3:1), 2) of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:2-4), and 3) of God the Father(Galatians 3:5) are incontrovertible evidence of having been graciously made acceptable to God through personal faithin the perfect, complete work of Christ, apart from any human supplement.

Believers are made acceptable to Godthrough faith in Christ, apart from our worksas seen through:1) The Believer’s Experience with Christ (Galatians 3:1)Galatians 3:1 [3:1]O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. (ESV)

We are going to spend just about all our time on the first two verses

Paul beginning chapter three by addressing the Galatians as foolish probably reflects a combination of anger and lovemixed withsurprise.Like many believersbefore and after them, they had beenvictimized by Satan and induced to slip awayfrom the moorings of the truthby which they had been saved. Those believers were especiallyfoolish because they had been so carefully and fully taught. The nature of God’s judgment described in Romans 1 and elsewhere is for those who knowingly and willinglyexchange the truth of God for a lie. This impliesbasic mental ability to understand God’s standard but a rejection of such. This is one reason I believe God does not hold to account those who are of extreme mental impairment and babies. Although people with a learning disability and children may not fully comprehend the ins and out of salvation and technical terms, there is a basic understandingof right and wrong (Romans 2-Conscience) the need to be sorry (repent) for doing and thinkingwhat is wrong (sin), and failing to do what is right (God’s standard of perfect righteousness). There is the necessity to understand to some measure God’s work to provide salvation in the death of Christ and the need to trust in this work alonefor eternal life. The believers in Galatia were not stupid; they simply failed to use their spiritual intelligence when faced by the unscriptural, gospel-destroying teaching of the Judaizers. They were not using their heads. Their description of being foolish (Anoētos) does not connote mental deficiency but mental laziness and carelessness. The Greek term frequently carried the idea of a wrong attitude of heart, a lack of faith that clouds judgment. Paul uses the Greek termanoeµto (foolish) to denote the improper thinking of those who, otherwise, should be expected to perceive things correctly. They are not incapable of proper thought. (Elwell, W. A. (1996, c1989). Evangelical Commentary on the Bible . (electronic ed.) (Ga 3:6). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.).

Please turn to Luke 24

Paul himself confessed that before salvation:Titus 3:3 [3]For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. (ESV)

Jesus used the word to rebuke the two disciples He encountered on the road to Emmaus 3 days after His resurrection:Luke 24:13-2713 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulersdelivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (ESV)

The disciples’ basic problem was not mentalbut spiritual. Because they had not carefully studied to believe the prophets, they failed to understand that, as the Messiah, Jesus not only had to die but that He would be raised and return to His Father in heaven (see ﻿v.﻿ ﻿26﻿). Their understanding failedbecause their faith had failed.

There is no point is us asking for more knowledge if we won’tput into practicewhat has already been revealed to us. Too oftenwe have a lackdirection because we have failed to act upon what God has already told us to do.

The Galatians were actually bewitchedby the Judaizers. Bewitched is from baskainō, which means to charm or fascinate in a misleading way, as by flattery, false promises, or occultic power, and clearly suggeststhe use of feeling over fact, emotion over clear understanding of truth. It can be understood as spoiling the sight so that one cannot discern an obvious object (Poole, Commentary. P.647) Or ‘who has cast the evil eye on you?’ It is unlikely that Paul is suggesting that the Galatians have been beset by magicians or sorcerers,﻿ but it may well be that Paul is referring to the ancient concept of the evil eye. The verb βασκαίνω is found only here in the NT and it is clear enough that originally it was used to refer to the casting of the evil eye on someone (cf. Plutarch, Quaest. Conviv. 680C–683B) Basically the concept is that certain persons (or even certain animals or demons or gods) have the power of casting an evil spell on someone or causing something bad to happen to them by gazing at them. (Witherington III, B. (1998). Grace in Galatia : A Commentary on St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians (201). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.) But he is more likely using “bewitched” in a metaphorical sense, and he probably means by it “to pervert,” “to lead astray,” or “to confuse the mind.” (Arichea, D. C., & Nida, E. A. (1993). A handbook on Paul's letter to the Galatians. Originally published under title: A translator's handbook on Paul's letter to the Galatians. c1976. UBS handbook series; Helps for translators (53). New York: United Bible Societies.)

Who then is responsible for folly? Paul asked “﻿Whorhetorically, fully aware of the answer. “﻿Who could have dragged you away from the solid foundation of truthin which you were once so well grounded?﻿” The Galatians were not victims of a magical spell, but were misled pupils of teachingsthey should have instantly recognized as false. They were willing victims who succumbed to the flesh-pleasing works righteousness of the Judaizers. They had been convinced that faith was not enough, that something was lacking that could be fulfilled by returning to the ceremonies and requirements of the Old Covenant. This is a situation where “asupplemented Christ is a supplanted Christ.﻿” (William Hendricksen: Galatians)

The Galatians’ own experience of salvation should have prevented their falling for the Judaizing falsehood. First of all, they had experiencedthe powerful, transforming, mind-changing truth of the gospel in the crucified Christ. They were people before their eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. The real issue therefore is what has been publicly portrayedbefore their eyes not on a curse from an evil eye. They needed to get their eyes back on Christ and not to distractions. They saw clearly the meaning of the cross. The gospel had come to them with the full clarity and power of Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf, and by faith they had believed and received it. Publicly portrayed translates prographō, a word that was used of posting important official notices on a placard in the marketplace or other public location for citizens to read.Jesus Christ had been figuratively placarded before the Galatians by Paul himself for everyone to see clearly. The public portray of the sacrifice of Christ is in the teaching from scripture and one major intent in the celebration of the Lord’s Table. Paul’s preaching of Jesus Christ and the Galatians’ acceptance of Him by faith was all done publicly. The believers there were witnesses to each other’s salvation by faith in Him alone. “Christ crucified” was a compressed term referring to the entire gospel message (see 1 Corinthians 1:23; 2:2; 2 Corinthians 13:4). The tense of the verb crucifiedis perfect passive, denoting a past action with a continuing effect or result. Literally: “﻿He is still righteous to keep on forgiving our sins.﻿” As John declares:1 John 1:9 [9]If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (ESV)

Christhad been crucified; Paulhad clearly explained the significance of that crucifixion to the Galatians. Yet they were missing the ongoing benefits of the Crucifixion—an assurance of faith and standing with Godbased on the work that He had done on behalf of those who believe and not on our own efforts. No ritual, ceremony, regulation, or any other thing devised or accomplished human workscan pick up where the cross leaves off- because the crossnever leaves off. Because of Christ’s work on the cross, it is the continuing and eternal payment for the sin of every believer, and every sinner who puts their trust in the work of Christ for their behalf on the cross is forever and continually being forgiven. A believer can no more stay saved by works than he could have been saved by works in the first place.The cross stands forever as living proof that people cannot redeem themselves. (Barton, B. B. (1994). Galatians. Life application Bible commentary (84). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House)

Poem:In considering Salvation by Works,William Cowper said this:Grace, triumphant in the throne, Scorns a rival, reigns alone; Come and bow beneath her sway! Cast your idol works away! Works of man, when made his plea, Never shall accepted be; Fruits of pride (vain-glorious worm!) Are the best he can perform. Self, the god his soul adores, Influences all his powers; Jesus is a slighted name, Self-advancement all his aim.

But when God the Judge shall come, To pronounce the final doom, Then for rocks and hills to hide All his works and all his pride! Still the boasting heart replies, What the worthy and the wise, Friends to temperance and peace, Have not these a righteousness? Banish every vain pretense Built on human excellence; Perish every thing in man But the grace that never can. Olney Hymns, William Cowper, from Cowper’s Poems, Sheldon & Company, New York

Believers are made acceptable to Godthrough faith in Christ, apart from our worksas seen through:2) The Believer’s Experience with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:2-4)Galatians 3:2-4 [2]Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? [3]Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? [4]Did you suffer so many things in vain--if indeed it was in vain? (ESV)

To rectify the Galatians’ confused thinking, Paul returned to the basics. Four simple questionsin the following verseswill reveal their foolishness. Paul’s first question was most basic, for it focused onhow their Christian life had begun. (Barton, B. B. (1994). Galatians. Life application Bible commentary (84). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House).

Paul’s next appeal was to the Galatian believers’ experience with the Holy Spirit. “﻿Don﻿’t you remember what the Spiritaccomplished in your liveswhen you trusted in Christ for salvation?﻿”he asks in verse two[2]Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? The verb ‘received’ is in the aorist form, indicating a definite event in the past. Paul is referring to what happened to the Galatiansat the point of their conversions. “To receive” in these texts does not refer to a self-prompted taking but rather to a grateful reception of that which is offered. ﻿ Thus the Galatiansreceived the Holy Spirit as an unfettered gift from the sovereign God quite apart from any contribution of good works or human merit on their part. (George, T. (2001, c1994). Vol. 30: Galatians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (211). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.). The phrase about receiving the Spirit is something close to a technical phrasefor early Christians when they wanted to talk about conversion (cf. Rom. 8:15; 1 Cor. 2:12; 2 Cor. 11:4; Gal. 3:14; Jn. 7:39; Acts 2:38; 10:47; 19:2).( Witherington III, B. (1998). Grace in Galatia : A Commentary on St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians (210). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Paul is referring to what he deems to be unimpeachable evidence, which suggest he is surely referring to some dynamic experiences of the Spirit in Galatia that could have been neither forgotten nor denied He is asking the rhetorical question: Did you have to fulfill some further requirements?Go through some special ceremony, or perform some additional rites?Or did youreceive the Spiritby God’s graceat the same timeyou received Christ as Lord and Savior?﻿” The questionrhetorical and the answer obvious: They received the righteousness of Christ and His Holy Spiritat the same time. (G. D. Fee, God’s Empowering Presence. The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), pp. 384ff.)

Comparing how the Spirit works with faith from the works of the Law: John Stott said: “The lawrequires works of human achievement; the gospel requires faith in Christ’s achievement. The lawmakes demands and bids us obey; the gospelbrings promises and bids us believe” (Barton, B. B. (1994). Galatians. Life application Bible commentary (85). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.).

The gift of the Holy Spirit is the believer’s most unmistakable evidence of God’s favor, his greatest proof of salvation and the guarantee of eternal gloryRomans 8:16 [16]The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (ESV)Conversely,Romans 8:9 [9]You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christdoes not belong to him. (ESV) (cf. 1 John 4:13﻿; ﻿ ﻿3:24﻿).

Every true believer in Galatia had received the Holy Spirit the moment he received Jesus Christ as Savior (Eph. 1:13-14). “﻿Don﻿’t you remember,﻿” Paul asked, “﻿that you receivedthe Spirit … by hearing with faith?

This phrase describes how the Holy Spiritbrings people to faith in Christ:10:17 [17]So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (ESV)

The reason why we preach the scriptures, and it must be central in bible study, children’s ministry etc. and not just human observation or ideas, is that it is only the Scriptures that God has promised to bring people to faith through the power of the Holy Spirit.

In Galatians 3:3, Paul specifies that the Galatians had “begun by the Spirit﻿”. This refers to the same concepthe mentioned in:Philippians 1:6 [6]And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (ESV)

It is the Holy Spirits work that changes the hearts of people and it is by His power that the work of sanctification, progression in holiness, continues.

Paul is saying that it is foolish to think that a spiritual work begun would continue by human effort. That is what he refers to with “﻿are you now being perfected by the flesh?The most literal sense of understanding this is related to the Judaizers claim that the sign of circumcisioncould make someone right with God. In a more broad sense, Paul is asking how could you think that your weak, imperfect, still sinfulfleshcould improve on what the divineSpiritof God began in you when you first believed?﻿” Drifting from the provisions of graceinto the efforts of law is ludicrous.

How ludicrous it would be for a modern airline passenger to entrust his life to a jet aircraft but still insist on flapping his armsto help the plane stay in the air (Barton, B. B. (1994). Galatians. Life application Bible commentary (87). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.).

Just as the Holy Spirit in His timing brings us to faith, it is easy to forget that He continues to work out sanctification in us, often in ways and timingswe do not expect. It is easy therefore for us to becomeimpatient and become discouraged almost longing for a timebefore the difficulty in sanctification. The Holy Spiritgives Christians great power to live for God. Some Christians want more;they want to live in a state of perpetual excitement. The tedium of everyday livingleadsthem to conclude that something is wrong spiritually.

The Galatians quickly turnedfrom Paul’s Good Newsto the teachings of the newest teachers in town; Often the Holy Spirit’s greatest work is teaching us to persist, to keep on doing what is right even when it no longer seems interesting or exciting.

The phrase in Galatians 3:3 about being perfected has caused great confusion with some. The word perfect (Gr epiteleō) most certainly does not mean sinless, but complete, spiritual maturity. When he rhetorically askes if they can be “perfected by the flesh”, the middle voice implies “making yourselves perfect” by means of self-effort. The present tense indicates that the action is in progress and that there is still time to correct the error (KJV Bible commentary. 1997, c1994 (2383). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.).

It makes no sense to try to perfect yourself through works righteousness when the Holy Spiritbrings people to Christ and works through people to accomplish holy ends.

Please turn to Hebrews 7

There are some who believe, like the Judaizers, that we can perfect ourselves. The book of Hebrews, which was written primarily to Jewish believers, some of whom, like those in Galatia, were in danger of turning back to Judaism says:Hebrews 7:18-25 [18]For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness [19](for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. [20]And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, [21]but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever.'" [22]This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. [23]The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, [24]but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. [25]Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (ESV)

The person who puts their trust in the lawobligates themselves to keep the entire law, which is humanly impossible, and they also cut themselves off from the benefits of the cross, whereby sins are forgiven and obligation to the law is fulfilled.

In verse four Paul’s next questionasked the Galatians to apply their past experienceto their immediate situation: Paul asks: Did you suffer so many things in vain?. Suffer is from paschō, a word that carries the basic idea of experience: the believers’ personal experience with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God the Father. Paul is asking, “﻿Did youexperienceso many things in vain?Did you learn nothing at all from them?Can﻿’t you think things through and see that the claims of the Judaizerscannot possibly square with the gospel you have been taught and have experienced yourselves?﻿” Paul softens the blow by adding, If indeed it was in vain, leaving open the possibilityand hope that it was not. In other words, “﻿I hope what I have heard about you is not true or that you have come back to your senses.﻿” (cf e.g., ﻿4:9–14﻿, ﻿20﻿; ﻿5:2–10﻿).Illustration: 1372 Eternal Life In The Bahamas?According to folk lore, there was an island of the Bahamas group which had upon it a marvelous fountain, whose watersproduced perpetual youth. For this elixir of eternal life,Juan Ponce de Leon, the Spanish navigator, soughtlong and hard, yet in vain. (Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 377). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.)The most tragic outcomes of a life is one spent in vain.When we focus on lives on what can, or will be lost,we laborin vain.The gracious work of the Holy Spirit is that He reminds us that we don’t have to waste our lives. He can work in and through us,that which can bear fruit forever.

Finally,Believers are made acceptable to Godthrough faith in Christ, apartfromour worksas seen through:3) The Believer’s Experience with the Father (Galatians 3:5)Galatians 3:5 [5]Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miraclesamong you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith-- (ESV)

By asking these questions, Paul hoped to get the Galatians to focus again on Christ as the foundation of their faith. While this seems to repeatPaul’s first question (Gal. 3:2), there are key differences.Paul’s question in verse 2focuses on the Galatians’ point of view (receiving): This questionrestates the question in verse 2, but it reflects God’s point of view (giving): Verse 2 is in the past tense, reminding the Galatians of their initial response of salvation and what happened because of that response. This verse, however, is in the present tense,focusing on what God continues to do. (Barton, B. B. (1994). Galatians. Life application Bible commentary (90). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.)

The Father:Supplies/Provides (epichorēgeō) which means to supply abundantly and with great generosity. This word here for supplies/provideswas used of patrons of the arts who underwrote productions of Greek plays and of patriotic citizens who gave of their wealth to help support their country’s army or government. It was also used of a groom’s vow to love and care for his bride. From the Father’s superabundant generosity to His children, God provides them with the Spirit and works miracles among them. Miracles (dunamis) refers basically to inherent power or ability. Paul may have been referring to miraculous events God had workedamongthe Galatian believers, or he may have been referring to the spiritual power over Satan, sin, the world, the flesh, and human weakness that the Father bestows on His children through HisSpirit.

Do not be intimated that you do not have some special intellectual ability or if have some mental or physical challenge. There is something that God the Father does in these unique circumstances. Paul explained this while preaching in Corinth that:2 Corinthians 12:1-10I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses--6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (ESV)

God often uses the weak in the world’s senseto show His power. As in Salvation,He desires that it would be obvious that He has provided an ability that no human physical or intellectual effort could achieve. Thereby, He gets the glory for this.

How far can we go, how much can we achieve from God working in us:Ephesians 3:20 [20]Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, (ESV)

If a person has received eternal salvationthrough trust in the crucified Christ, they receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit the same moment they believe, and have the Father’s Spirit-endowed power working within him. When all of this is received by the Grace of God, how could we hope to enhance that out of our own insignificant human resources to produce some meritorious benefit?